Extension-ladder.



PATENTEID JUNE 11, 1907.

J. R. DAVIS. EXTENSION LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED 00112, 190s.

JOHN E. DAVIS, oF'wAYNEsBUEo, PENNSYLVANIA.

EXTENSION-LADDER'.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

Application filed October 12,1906. Serial No. 338,580.

Toftll whom zit may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN R. DAvis, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Vaynesburg, in the county of Greene and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inExtension Ladders, of which the following `is a s ecification, referencebeing had therein to t e accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in stepladders, and the invention has for its obj ect to provide a novel vformof extension step ladder, wherein the extension serves as a step laddersupport and can be easily and quickly manipulated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple, durable andinexpensive step r/""ladder, wherein a novel form of brace is employedfor strengthening and bracing the zo rounds and steps of a ladder.

lVith these and other objects in view, which will more readily appear asthe invention is better understood, the same consists in the novelconstruction, combination and 2 5 arrangement of parts to be hereinaftermore fully described and then specifically pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Referring to the drawing forming part of this specification, likenumerals of reference 3o designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views, in whichz-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ladder,Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of the ladder, Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional view of 3 5 the same, Fig. 4 is a front elevation of theladder as extended, Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of one of theside rails of the ladder, Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of one of therounds or steps, Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of aladder illustratconnection with the ladder.

To put my invention into practice, I construct my improved ladder of twoframes 1 and 2, the frame 2 serving functionally as a step laddersupport and as an extension to 5o said ladder.

The frame 1 comprises two rails 3 and 4, said rails being connected by aplurality of steps or rounds 5, each of which is supported by transversebraces 6. The braces are formed from a piece of metal bent to form a Web7 which passes through the rails 3 and is bent to form end flanges 8.The web portion also carries flanges 9 adapted to lie flush with theunderneath side of each step or round, the ends of the flanges 9 beingbent downwardly against the rails 3 and 4, as at 10 and secured to. saidrails and the flanges 8 by rivets or screw bolts 11 that pass throughsaid rails.

The upper ends of the rails 3 and 4 are provided with angle plates 12adapted to su port a top step or platform 14. The ang e plates l2 areprovided with bayonet-shaped slots 15 adapted to receive pins 16,carried by the side rails 17 of the frame 2. The side of steps or rounds1S.

Pivotally connected to the side rails 3 and 4 of the frame 1 are arms19, said arms supporting a platform 20, and bent to form shoulders 21.The rails 17 of the frame 2 are provided with recesses 22 adapted toreceive said arms adjacent to the shoulders 21, when the platform 20 isin a horizontal or useful position.

The outer sides of the rails 3 and 4 contiguous to their upper ends areprovided with rearwardly extending guides 2S adapted to lie in therecesses 22, when the frame 2 is parallel with or folded against theframe 1. The guides 23 yengage the rails 17, when the ladder isextended.

The top step or platform 14 is formed with a longitudinally disposedslot 24 and transverse slots 25, the slots 25 alining with the foldedrails 17, whereby the frame 2 can be moved upwardly through the step orplatform 14, to form an extension of the frame 1. To retain the frame 2in an extended or elevated position, I provide the rail 4 of the frame 1with a spring held arm 26 carrying a pivoted tooth 27. The arm 26normally lies in the path of travel of the frame 2, the beveled edge 28of said arm causing the arm to recede when impigned by one of the roundsor steps 1S of the frame 2. After the frame 2 has been elevated thedesired height, one of the rounds or steps 1S is adapted to rest uponthe arm 26 the tooth 27 of said arm lying upon the round. The tooth 27serves a novel function. By gravity it normally lies adajcent to thebeveled edge 28 of the arm 26, consequently when the supporting round ofthe elevated frame 2 is raised out of engagement with the arm 26, thetooth 27 drops upon the arm, and when the frame 2 is lowered, each roundwill strike the tooth and rails 17 are connected together by a pluralityIIO cause the arm to recede. This movement of the arm is incurred by thetooth 27 projecting beyond the arm, when in its normal position.

By providing the angle plates 12 -with bayonet slots 15, I am enabled toswing the upper end of the frame 2 out of alinement with the slots 25,when the frame 2 is lowered, whereby the upper end of said frame can beused to support the plate 14 and frame 1, :by bearing against theunder-neath side of the plate 14. Metallic screws or plates 29 can beused to protect the ends or Wearing surfaces of the frames 1 and 2.

Such changes in the size, proportion and minor details of constructionas are permissible by the appended claims, may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a ladder, a main frame provided with steps and having a top lstepor platform provided with a longitudinal slot and with registeringtransverse slots, plates secured to the side rails of said main frame atthe upper end thereof and provided with angle slots, an Iextension framecomprising side rails ,connected together by steps, headed pins carriedby said side rails at the upper ends thereof toengage in the angle slotsof -said plates carried by the main Jframe, arms pivoted to the mainframe and provided with shoulders to engage the side rails of theextension frame, a platform carried by said arms, and a spring-held armcarried by one of the side rails of the main frame for engagement withone of the ends engaging the inner faces of the side rails.

3. In a step ladder, -a main frame andan extension frame, the latteracting asa Ibrace for the main frame and yas an extension therefor,angle plates carried by the side rails of the mainframe `at their upperend and provided with bayonet slots, a top -step or platform for saidmain frame-provided with alongivtudinal slot and with registeringtransverse slots, the latter .also lregistering with Ythe bayonet slotsin `said plates, headed pins carried by the extension slots, armspivot-ed .to the main frame having shouldersffor engagement `with the`extension frame, 4a platform carried by said arms, and a pivotedspring-held arm carried by one .of vthe side railswofithe main vrameforengagement with one of the Asteps of the extension frame to holdthe-latter-in extended position with relation to the main frame.

In testimony whereof I LAarix,my-signatnre in the-presence of twowitnesses.

, JOHN DAVIS. Witnesses:

ABNER HOGE, Jos. R. COTTERREL.

